DAVID SMALL was born in England in 1938 and a large slice of his life has been as an actor and director in non-professional theatre. It was this that brought him to 3INR.
AS A RADIO PRESENTER: David came on board soon after the station first went to air. He was asked by Kevin Trask to join a panel of local theatre people in presenting "LOCAL THEATRE" on behalf of Heidelberg Theatre Co.
He was instantly hooked on radio and was soon sharing other programs and covering for other presenters when necessary. Ron Lopes brought him in on several breakfast program as news reader, and later on "Saturday Express". Elected to the Management Committee, David served as Treasurer for several years during the 90's, and took on more and more programs and program inserts. "Weekend Magazine" (which was later styled "Inner N Hour") followed "Saturday Express" - a program to which he contributed weekly biographies for Ron Lopes' featured artists.
When Paul Walsh took an overseas assignment, David produced and presented the weekly local news program, "This is the Week That Was", and for almost 10 years presented Sunday's "Breakfast in Bed". When Lenny Everett took over that program in 2004, he invited David to continue with his popular SMALL TALK series at 7.30am where it can still be heard each Sunday.
David's studio involvement these days is largely focused on WORSHIP ON THE WIRELESS - formerly known as THE LIFE CHANGING HOUR - a Christian worship program which he inherited on the death in 2001 of the Rev Tom Douglas. When possible, David loves making "productions" of his broadcasts, using music and effects to enhance narrative.
AS AN ACTOR: David faced his first audience on stage at the age of four and, like many thus smitten, was never really the same again. A veteran of some 130 dramatic, comedy and musical productions, he values the many leading and supporting role, the compliments of peers and audiences, and the awards he has received.
Significant among these are the two received for the role of C. S. Lewis in Encore Theatre’s 2007 production of SHADOWLANDS: ‘The Best Actor in a Drama’ from the Victorian Drama League (Gold Award) and the (metropolitan) ‘Lyrebird Awards.’ David won his first VDL ‘gold award’ in its inaugural year, in 1997. Theatre company awards have included those for Frank Doel in 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD, and the title role in THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE.
Among the occasional musical theatre roles he has enjoyed over the years are those of all three male leads in MY FAIR LADY, Higgins, Pickering and Doolittle. Other musical roles have been in OLIVER, GIGI, THE WIZARD OF OZ, DRACULA BABY and DAMN YANKEES.
Among his most recent stage roles are those of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in THE REAL SHERLOCK HOLMES, (directed by Kevin Trask), a one-man comedy - HOW TO ENJOY YOUR OWN FUNERAL – and BELIEVING THOMAS, all written by Melbourne playwright, Cenarth Fox.
David has also notched up directing credits, including Easter productions for MOOMBA (1967) and the ADELAIDE FESTIVAL OF ARTS (1969). In 1987 he brokered and co-directed the first full length, non-professional production of the Royal Shakespeare Company commissioned LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, which had 34 performances in Australia and New Zealand.
Screen credits include roles in CRACKERJACK, STINGERS, a guest appearance in ABC TVs MDA and a variety of educational and training films and community documentaries.
For Easter 2006 he directed and narrated his fourth consecutive ANNUAL MELBOURNE PASSION PLAY, performed in Doncaster's Ruffey Lake Park.
David retired from acting in 2009, and was invited to join the judging panel for the VDL Annual Awards.
96.5FM listeners feel they know his family as David often refers to his three daughters and five grand-children in his broadcasts. When he lost his wife Joan to cancer in September 2010, the number of condolences from listeners and Inner FM colleagues was overwhelming.
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